Pope's message The Cop25 Environment Summit held in Madrid in December 2019
The Holy Father has sent a message to the participants in the twenty -fifth session of the Conference of the States Parties in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change gathered in Madrid, from December 2 to 13, 2019.
January 26, 2022
"Hopefully we can offer specific reasons to the next generation to wait and work for a good and worthy future! I hope this spirit encourages the work of COP25, to which I wish much success," is the breath of Pope Francis to the participants in the conference on the United Nations climate gathered in Madrid, Spain, from December 2 to 13, 2019.
A growing awareness of the international community
In his message, addressed to Mrs. Carolina Schmidt, Minister of Environment of Chile, president of the COP25, the Holy Father recalled that, since December 12, 2015, COP 21 adopted the Paris Agreement, whose application "will require a concerted commitment and a generous dedication by each one." Its rapid entry into force, in less than a year, and the numerous meetings and debates destined to reflect on one of the main challenges for humanity, that of climate change, and to identify the best ways of applying the Paris Agreement, said the Pontiff, have revealed a growing awareness of the different actors of the international community of the importance and the need to "work together in the construction of our common house."
Current commitments are far from the established objectives
Despite these efforts undertaken, Pope Francis said that, "after four years, we must admit that this conscience remains quite weak, unable to respond properly to that strong sense of urgency of rapid action that demands the scientific data that we have, as those described in the recent special reports of the Intergovernmental Expert Group about climate change (IPCC)." These studies, said the pontiff, show that the current commitments of the states to mitigate climate change and adapt to it are far from being those that are really needed to achieve the objectives established in the Paris Agreement.
"[They demonstrate how far the words of concrete actions are!]"
Growing need to transform our development model
At present, says the Holy Father, there is a growing agreement on the need to promote transition processes, as well as a transformation of our development model, to encourage solidarity and strengthen the strong links between the fight against climate change and poverty. This is also demonstrated by the numerous initiatives that have been implemented or are underway, not only by governments, but also of local communities, the private sector, civil society and people. However, the ability of these processes to respect the calendar required by science, as well as the distribution of the costs they require remains a matter of great concern.
We need a clear, providing and determined political will
That is why Pope Francis points out that, we must seriously ask ourselves if there is the political will to allocate with honesty, responsibility and courage, more human, financial and technological resources to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, as well as to help the poorest and poorest populations that are the most affected. The numerous studies, the Pontiff points out, tell us that it is still possible to limit global warming. To do this we need a clear, foresee and strong political will, determined to follow a new direction that aims to reorient financial and economic investments towards those areas that really safeguard the conditions of a dignified life of humanity on a "healthy" planet for today and tomorrow.
We have the "civilization challenge" for the common good
All this, concludes the Holy Father, invites us to reflect conscientiously about the importance of our consumption and production models and about the education and awareness processes to make them consistent with human dignity. In this sense, the Pope invites the participants in the COP25 to keep in mind that, we face a "civilization challenge" in favor of the common good and a change of perspective that places this same dignity in the center of our action, which is clearly expressed in the "human face" of climate emergencies. Therefore, we must take advantage of this occasion through responsible actions in the economic, technological, social and educational fields, knowing very well that our actions are interdependent.
Do not load young people with the problems of other generations
Finally, before concluding they are his message, Pope Francis addresses his thinking to the young people of today, who show a great sensitivity to the complex problems that arise from this "emergency." "We must not load the next generations with the problems caused by the previous ones. We must give them, however, the opportunity to remember our generation as the one that renewed and acted - with honest, responsible and brave conscience - the fundamental need to collaborate to preserve and cultivate our common house."
January 26, 2022
COP25 will be one of the most important international political quotations of the year. Organized by the United Nations (UN) since 1995, it is the Conference of the Parties of the Framework Climate Change Convention, for its acronym in English: COP, which will take place from December 2 to 13, 2019. This important event has acquired even greater relevance to Spain, since, although it was planned that the 25th edition of the COP was held in Chile, the social instability occurred during the last weeks in the Latin American country Politicians have ended up transferring the event to the IFEMA of Madrid, at the request of the Chilean government.
On the official website of the meeting you can download materials and know the day to day of the meeting.
OFFICIAL WEB COP25
Objectives for 2030
January 26, 2022
We also reproduce here the ten full points that the Cardinals, Patriarchs and Bishops of the Church claimed to “call a serious consciousness and ecological education” in the face of the summit on COP21 climate change - which was held in Paris from November 30 to December 11 -. All of them still in force and urgent.
1. take into account not only the technical aspects of climate change but also, and above all, ethical and moral aspects in accordance with article 3 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (CMNUCC).
2. Accept that the weather and atmosphere are common global goods of all and for all.
3. Adopt a fair world agreement, the engine of a transformational and legally binding change based on our worldview that recognizes the need to live in harmony with nature and to guarantee the exercise of everyone's human rights, including those of indigenous peoples, women, young people and workers.
4. Limit the increase in global temperature and establish an objective to achieve complete decarbonization for the middle of the century, in order to protect the communities most affected by the effects of climate change, especially those that live in the Pacific Islands and the coastal regions.
4.1. Ensure that the maximum temperature increase limit will be reflected in a legally binding global agreement, with ambitious mitigation actions and commitments by all countries based on their common but differentiated responsibilities and their respective capacities (CBDRRC in English), according to the principles of equity, historical responsibilities, and the right to sustainable development.
4.2. Guarantee coherence between emission trajectories and decarbonization objective; as well as the imposition of periodic reviews of ambitions and adopted commitments. To be successful, these periodic reviews must be based on scientific data and respect for the principle of equity, and must be mandatory.
5. Explore new development models and lifestyles that are compatible with the weather, fight inequality and serve the poor of misery. In this sense, it is essential to end the era of fossil fuels, gradually eliminate fossil fuel emissions and provide access to renewable energy that is affordable, reliable and safe for all.
6. Ensure everyone's access to water and land for the consolidation of resilient and sustainable food systems that prioritize the solutions driven by people and not by benefits.
7. Guarantee the inclusion and participation of the poorest, the most vulnerable and of those on which the decisions taken at all levels have an impact on all levels.
8. Ensure that the agreement adopted in 2015 carries an adaptation process that responds appropriate to the immediate needs of the most affected communities and reinforces local solutions.
9. Recognize that adaptation needs are subject to the success of the mitigation measures adopted. Those responsible for climate change are obliged to help the most vulnerable in the adaptation and management of losses and damage; and to share the necessary technology and knowledge.
10. Establish clear route sheets on how countries must fulfill their additional, consistent and predictable financial commitments, so that a balanced financing of mitigation actions and adaptation needs is guaranteed.